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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2010 Dodge Nitro Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
6%of 78 total for the year
Median mileage
60,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Dodge Nitro, 6% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Moment before my drive shaft broke, I was driving 70 MPH on the highway. If my driveshaft would have broke like the way it did, I could have seriously been injured or caused a death. I excited the highway, and got off was stopped at a redlight and pressed the gas with no results. My vehicle started to back up, and I had to press the emergency brake. Thank you”

NHTSA complaint #10653183, filed 2014-11, 88,276 miles

“Getting 12 miles to the gallon transmission was slipping, took to the Dodge shop and they said there was nothing wrong, notice slipping getting worse took to another Dodge shop and they said the transmission was low on fluid and part was broke inside, took three weeks to get vehicle back, good mileage after that for a week, and now transmission is leaking again, took back to the Dodge shop, asked why there is no transmission dip stick to check my self so we don't burn out the transmission, they said Dodge does not make one for that vehicle? Transmission is a big issue with this vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10610881, filed 2014-07, 51,000 miles

“Outside temp was approx 30-35 f, engine was running aprox 10 mins,while accelerating from 30mph to 50 MPH on the highway, the gas pedal stayed to the floor after I took my foot off, causing vehicle to continue accelerating to a higher MPH. I put transmission selector into neutral, engine raced to a higher RPM, used brakes to slow vehicle down and exited highway. When I stopped the vehicle, I shut off ignition and heard the gas pedal pop back into position. After approx 2 mins, I restarted engine and everything seemed normal. Has not recurred as of yet. …”

NHTSA complaint #10369368, filed 2010-12, 48,470 miles

“The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from being stationary, the rear driveshaft suddenly detached from the rear of the vehicle and dragged on the ground. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #11631567, filed 2024-12, 160,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that an abnormal noise emitted from under the vehicle and burning fumes entered the cabin. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the heat shield fractured without warning and rubbed against the driveshaft causing damages. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13v121000 (air bags, power train, structure). The VIN was not available. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was to schedule an appointment to inspect and diagnose the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #10758965, filed 2015-08, 60,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20111613%
201056%
200914%
2008267%
20075411%

Other parts of the 2010 Dodge Nitro

Electrical system
26 complaints
Fuel system
13 complaints
Air bags
12 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Engine
9 complaints
Other or unknown
9 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
3 complaints
Engine cooling
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Dodge Nitro

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology